17 January, 2009

Mahalla sit-in continues - workers threatened with dismissal

The sit-in of independent union leaders in Mahalla continues, now entering the eight day. I just spoke to one of them, who accused the state-controlled union to conspire with the management to fire those who have taken part in the sit-in. Previously during the week, negotiations have taken place between the workers and local union officials, but the latter have consistently demanded that the workers end their sit-in before the union can take any measures on their behalf...

Here is a report from el-badeel, that also mentions that 800 workers at "al-swidi lil-kabalaat" (Swedish Cables?) ended a strike after being promised a raise in wages within two months. Does anyone know anything about this company? I mean, is it really Swedish...?